How Platinum Supports Greener Transportation
- Aug 20, 2025
- lovePLATINUM
- 3 minute read
The information contained in this article is current as of the date of publishing.
Electric car sales worldwide have been on the rise, accounting for about 18% of cars sold worldwide in 2023.[1] While the consumer market has been dominated by battery electric vehicles, hydrogen-based fuel cell electric vehicles are gaining prominence, offering many of the range and reliability benefits of internal combustion without the carbon footprint.[2]
In this blog, we’ll look at the role platinum plays in enabling the transition away from internal combustion engines.
The information contained in this article is current as of the date of publishing.
Electric car sales worldwide have been on the rise, accounting for about 18% of cars sold worldwide in 2023.[1] While the consumer market has been dominated by battery electric vehicles, hydrogen-based fuel cell electric vehicles are gaining prominence, offering many of the range and reliability benefits of internal combustion without the carbon footprint.[2]
In this blog, we’ll look at the role platinum plays in enabling the transition away from internal combustion engines.
Platinum in Internal Combustion Engines
Starting in the United States in 1975, vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) have been fitted with autocatalysts to reduce harmful emissions by converting exhaust pollutants into carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen.[3] While this still produces more emissions than electric vehicles, the global phase-out of ICE vehicles is expected to take decades, making it vital for the ICE-powered cars on the road now to be as carbon-efficient as possible.[4] Platinum (as well as other platinum group metals, particularly palladium) is a key element in this effort, serving as the catalyst that causes the conversion reaction without getting used up in the process.[5]
In addition to its role in reducing emissions from ICE vehicles, platinum contributes further to overall sustainability due to its recyclability. More than 90% of the platinum used for autocatalysts can typically be recycled, making it a significant supply that helps reduce the amount of new platinum needed.[6]
Platinum in fuel cells
Platinum is also used as a catalyst in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, a technology for splitting water molecules to create hydrogen, which can be used as a low-carbon fuel source.[7] Platinum-based PEM electrolysis is more efficient and durable than other alternatives, such as alkaline electrolysis, helping reduce the cost of producing clean hydrogen.[8]
PEM fuel cells use the same principle in reverse, combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat the only by-products.[9] Platinum is ideally suited for this application because it offers an optimal reaction rate and is stable enough to withstand the chemical and electrical environment of a fuel cell over the long term.[10] These fuel cells can be used to power electric vehicles, offering an effective alternative to both ICE and battery electric vehicles, as well as homes and businesses.[11],[12] PEM fuel cells also have the potential to support the broader shift toward renewable energy generation by enabling electricity to be stored as hydrogen.[13]
Enabling the shift to low-carbon energy
Platinum and other platinum group metals are critical to shifting the economy toward more low-carbon energy sources, particularly in the transportation sector. By making hydrogen-based fuel cell electric vehicles possible and limiting emissions from ICE vehicles, platinum has already played a significant role in enabling the sector overall to reduce its carbon footprint.
If you’re interested in adding platinum to your investment portfolio, talk to your financial advisor to determine the right strategy for you.
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[1] IEA, 2024, Trends in Electric Cars.
[2] CME Group, 2022, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles and Platinum Demand.
[3] World Platinum Investment Council, 2020, Platinum Group Metals in Autocatalysts.
[4] The Assay, The Case for Platinum.
[5] World Platinum Investment Council, 2020, Platinum Group Metals in Autocatalysts.
[6] CME Group, 2023, Platinum Recycling and the Circular Economy.
[7] International Energy Forum, 2023, Energy Transition to Trigger Huge Growth in Platinum for Hydrogen.
[8] International Energy Forum, 2023, Energy Transition to Trigger Huge Growth in Platinum for Hydrogen.
[9] Market News & Insights, 2023, Why Is Hydrogen an Important New Demand Segment for Platinum?
[10] Market News & Insights, 2023, Why Is Hydrogen an Important New Demand Segment for Platinum?
[11] Market News & Insights, 2023, Why Is Hydrogen an Important New Demand Segment for Platinum?
[12] CME Group, 2022, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles and Platinum Demand.
[13] The Assay, The Case for Platinum.
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